One day I will have a monster tank. But since that is in the future I figure planning and doing as much research as possible is the next best thing to actually having one. Anyways I've seen a few tanks made out of google sketchup and I decided to make my own. This program is amazingly detailed and I've designed the tank all the way down to a quarter of an inch. I realize there are some flaws in my design and I'll discuss them and let the pictures walk you through the rest of the read. Enjoy.
This is the front shot of the tank. You'll notice right away there isn't much for bottom support. I did this because technically for the style I wanted the tank and the stand would be one. So the bottom of the tank is the top of the stand and all of those two by fours would be supported by two by fours underneath. Also the tank dimensions on the outside are 120" x 46" x 40" making the inside dimensions 112" x 36" x 36" to be able to hold about 628.36 gallons. Viewable window area is 92" x 32". If I did the math right this structure alone should cost less than $250 dollars including all the wood screws and brackets depending on where you live. Surprisingly the screws took up most of the cost.
This shot just shows the back of the tank and the structure. Maybe overkill maybe not. I used 4x4s at the corners for the added support. I know about their notoriety for twisting but I figured if they're made and used then that must either be exaggerated or it must only apply if they are mistreated or misused.
I got a little lazy with the filtration example in this shot but you should get the idea. Each side of the tank will be equipped with three one inch bulkheads that will be 30" above the bottom of the tank or 6" below the water line. They will having piping that runs flush with the two by fours and down underneath the tank through the stand. Once the trim is added to the tank not only will these pipes be hidden but there will be nothing filter related inside the tank aside from 6 one inch bulk heads. Also since the holes will directly face each other there will be a continuous flawless left to right current from one side of the tank to the other.
My plan personally would be to have each hole run underneath to 3 different FX5s and then from each FX5 up through an in line heater and then each back through its own return. It will eliminate all water noise, have excellent heating and there will be no fear of overflow. The only drawback would be is that there would be very little surface agatation.
Maybe one day in the future I will be able to build this or an even more improved design. Anyways thanks for reading and let me know what you think. Also I'm more than willing to design anybody else's tank if they give me the dimensions and the materials they want to use.
This is the front shot of the tank. You'll notice right away there isn't much for bottom support. I did this because technically for the style I wanted the tank and the stand would be one. So the bottom of the tank is the top of the stand and all of those two by fours would be supported by two by fours underneath. Also the tank dimensions on the outside are 120" x 46" x 40" making the inside dimensions 112" x 36" x 36" to be able to hold about 628.36 gallons. Viewable window area is 92" x 32". If I did the math right this structure alone should cost less than $250 dollars including all the wood screws and brackets depending on where you live. Surprisingly the screws took up most of the cost.
This shot just shows the back of the tank and the structure. Maybe overkill maybe not. I used 4x4s at the corners for the added support. I know about their notoriety for twisting but I figured if they're made and used then that must either be exaggerated or it must only apply if they are mistreated or misused.
I got a little lazy with the filtration example in this shot but you should get the idea. Each side of the tank will be equipped with three one inch bulkheads that will be 30" above the bottom of the tank or 6" below the water line. They will having piping that runs flush with the two by fours and down underneath the tank through the stand. Once the trim is added to the tank not only will these pipes be hidden but there will be nothing filter related inside the tank aside from 6 one inch bulk heads. Also since the holes will directly face each other there will be a continuous flawless left to right current from one side of the tank to the other.
My plan personally would be to have each hole run underneath to 3 different FX5s and then from each FX5 up through an in line heater and then each back through its own return. It will eliminate all water noise, have excellent heating and there will be no fear of overflow. The only drawback would be is that there would be very little surface agatation.
Maybe one day in the future I will be able to build this or an even more improved design. Anyways thanks for reading and let me know what you think. Also I'm more than willing to design anybody else's tank if they give me the dimensions and the materials they want to use.
